Madrid renews the free lease of a premises to the Ochoa Foundation

The Community of Madrid has agreed to a new free transfer of use of the premises on the first floor of the building located at Donoso Cortés Street, number 22, Madrid, in favor of the Carmen and Severo Ochoa Foundation. The decision is formalized through the Order of September 21, 2026, of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Employment, published in the OFFICIAL GAZETTE OF THE COMMUNITY OF MADRID number 245, of October 14, 2026 (official reference BOCM-20261014-33). The operation comes after the maximum duration of the previous transfer concluded on June 19, 2026.

The property is listed in the General Inventory of Assets and Rights of the Community of Madrid under reference number 232 and is cataloged as an asset of a patrimonial nature. The first transfer was granted by Order of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of March 11, 2014, and was renewed by Order of the Ministry of Finance and Public Function of June 19, 2020, which established an initial term of four years extendable for another two, up to a maximum of six. On November 28, 2024, at the request of the Ministry of Education, Science and Universities as the supervisory body, the transfer was extended until June 19, 2026, the date on which that maximum term expired.

Favorable reports from Education and Research

The continuity of the transfer is based on several reports incorporated into the file:

• The General Directorate of Research and Technological Innovation, in a report dated July 30, 2026, proposes to transfer the property for four extendable years, in view of the activity developed by the foundation in the last year and that planned for the coming ones.
• The Technical General Secretariat of the Ministry of Education, Science and Universities, on August 21, 2026, considers the continuity of the free transfer for four extendable years to be appropriate, after the public interest of the activities and the proper use of the property were accredited.
• The foundation itself provided its activity report, dated July 20, 2026.

The order is issued in accordance with the proposal of the General Directorate of Heritage and Procurement, exercising the powers of Article 56 of Law 3/2001, of June 21, on the Heritage of the Community of Madrid, and section first 3.j) of the Order of April 17, 2024, on the delegation of powers. The text was signed in Madrid on September 21, 2026, by the Vice-Minister of Finance and Public Function, Juan Revuelta González, by delegation of the minister.

Four extendable years and exclusive use

The assignment takes effect from the date the order is signed and has a duration of four years, extendable for another two up to a maximum of six. It is free of charge and does not entail any economic consideration in favor of the Community of Madrid, given the entity’s public utility or social interest purposes.

The premises may only be used for the purposes of the Carmen and Severo Ochoa Foundation, including:

• The awarding of the Research Prize in Molecular Biology to a scientist for work developed in Spain over the last five years.
• The annual celebration of a Commemorative Lecture delivered by top-level Spanish scientists.
• The delivery of inaugural course lectures and other outreach activities in educational institutions and teaching centers.

Any change of use will require authorization from the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Employment, and the property may not be leased or assigned to third parties. Oversight corresponds to the Ministry of Education, Science and Universities through its Technical General Secretariat.

Inspections, expenses and guarantees

The assignee shall assume the costs of utilities —water, electricity, gas, heating, telephone, cleaning and maintenance— as well as the Real Estate Tax (IBI) and the waste management fee. They must take out an insurance policy at their own expense against accidents, damage to the property, civil liability and illegal occupation, with a copy delivered within a maximum period of one month.

The overseeing ministry will carry out a minimum of two inspections per year and will submit an annual report on compliance with the intended use during the first quarter. Renovation works will require authorization from the General Directorate of Heritage and Procurement, which must resolve the request within 15 business days; silence shall be understood as a denial. Upon termination of the assignment, the property must be returned within a maximum period of 15 days, empty of furniture and free of occupants.

The new order guarantees the continuity of the outreach activity and the promotion of research in molecular biology that the foundation carries out in a heritage property of the Community of Madrid, and reinforces public control over the use of the premises through periodic inspections and express economic obligations.

Source: OFFICIAL GAZETTE OF THE COMMUNITY OF MADRID, no. 245, of October 14, 2026, section I.D (Announcements), pp. 155-163 (official reference: BOCM-20261014-33).